334 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[May 22, 1884 



\ifle mtd 



^heating. 



FIXTURES. 



May 20 to '-'3.— linoxville Gun Club Second Annual Tournament, 

 Knoxville, Tenn. C. C. Hebbard, Secreta-y. 



May 20 to 81.— First International Clay-Pigeon Tournament, at 

 Chicago, 111. Managers, Ligowsky Clay-Pigeon Co., P. O. Box 1293, 

 Cincinnati, Ohio. 



,Tune 2 to 9— Annual Tournament Louisville Sportsmen's Associa- 

 tion. Louisville, Ky. J. O. Barbour, Secretary, 157 Third avenue, 

 Louisville. 



RIFLES OF TO-DAY. 



THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARM. 



THIS rifle is one of the best known of the many repeating arms 

 which have followed eacli other into public attention within the 

 past twenty years. It has lived down much opposition, and is a favor- 

 ite with many expert banters in every section of the world. 



The present form of Winchester grim is to be credited to several 

 different inventors. In 1854 the Messrs. Horace Smith and D. S. Wes- 

 son (of the firm of Stni'h & Wesson, pistol makers) invented the ar- 

 rangement of finger lever, links and breech bolt now used in the Win- 

 chester gun. These they made use of in what was krowu at that 

 time as the "Volcanic Repeating Pistol." In this form it came into 

 possession of the Volcanic Arms Company, a corporation organized 

 for its manufacture at New Haven, of which Mr. O. K. Wine hosier 

 was a very large stockholder. This concern failed immediately, the 

 pistol proving to he a very imperfect invention, defective in the form 

 of cartridge which it used, and in other respects, more by reason of 

 the state of the art at that time than through fault in design. The 

 assets of the bankrupt company were purchased by Mr. O. F. Win- 

 chester and a new company was organized for the manufacture of 

 the same arm, improved by Mr. B Tyler Henry, of New Haven, and 

 the new gun was known as the Henry rifle. Mr. Henry's improve- 

 ment permitted the use of a metallic cartridge, and added to the gun 

 tbe form of extractor and arrangement of firing pin used in the pres- 

 ent gun. The Henry gun was successfully manufactured for several 

 years, during the war aud afterward. Several Western regiments 

 were armed with it and it speedily acquired reputation. As vhe de- 

 mand increased, the manufacture of I he gun, which had been carried 

 on at New Haven, was transferred to Bridgeport, Conn. 



The defects which bad been found to exist in the Henry gun were 

 remedied chiefly by tiie improvement of Mr. Nelson King, at that 

 rime (1866} in the employ of the company, which had again changed 

 its name and become the Winchester Repeating Arms Co. Mr. 

 King's improvement consisting in the side loading arrangement, 

 which ha-, since the expiration of his patent, been adopted in all re- 

 peating arms which have the magazine under the barrel. As the gun 

 had accumulated many improvements, so that its origin could be 

 attributed to no one individual, it gradually lost its name and acquired 

 to itself the name of the company manufacturing it, becoming 

 known as the Winchester guu. In 1870 its place of manufacture was 

 changed from Bridgeport, t:onu., to New T Haven, in the same State, 

 where* has since been made. About four hundred thousand of all 

 kinds have been made and sold. It is now offered in many different 

 forms. The model of '66 is a rim-fire gun. The model of "73 and '76 

 are center-fire gims. The m6dtl of '73 is made for 32, .33 and .44 

 caliber cartridges. A ,22-caliber of this model will soon be put upou 

 the market. The model of '76 is made to carry two different cart- 

 ridges of .45-ealiber, one of 75 grains and one of 60 grains, and a .50- 

 oahber cartridge of 95 grams of powder. 



The Winchester gun is universally used, the foreign demand being 

 about as large as the domestic. About one hundred thousand guns 

 are in the hands of the Turkish army, and the celebrated "leaden 

 rain" at Plevna came from them. About twenty-five thousand are in 

 the h?nds of the Chilian troops and were used against the Peruvians 

 in the late war. The Northwestern mounted police are armed in 

 large part with carbines, model '76, which have been bought from 

 tinie to time iu small lots during the last f -w years. 



No attempt has been made to advertise the Winchester gun at 

 targets or upon the different ranges of the country. The sale and 

 reputation of the gun has made tnis, in the opinion of its makers, 

 entirely unnece-sary. The following score of the rapidity and accu- 

 racy niatch at Creedmonr of 1876 shows what the Winchester has ac- 

 complished od the national range. 



The match was for the Schuyler, Hartley & Graham medal, which, 

 according to tbe conditions, was open to all comers. Distance 200yds. 

 Position. Standing, Any rifle. Magazine guns to be used as single- 

 loaders only, Two sighting shots, to be fired consecutively. Com- 

 petitors may fire as many shots as possible within half a minute, and 

 to have two chances; the aggregate score made in both rounds to be 

 counted. Entrance fee, 50 cents; half the entrance money to be 

 divided among the three highest scores, as follows: The first taking 

 the badge and half the money, the second two-sixths, and the thiid 

 one-sixth. No restriction as to the manner of taking cartridges. 

 Badge to be won three times (not necessarily consecutively), before 

 becoming the personal property of the winner. Competitors will 

 stand at firing point with rifle loaded and cocked, butt below elbow, 

 until the command "Fire." The scorer will comm-nd: "Are you 

 ready? Fire!" and invert a half -minute, sand glass; at the end of 

 thirty seconds he will call "Time." A bullseye will be deducted from 

 the score for every shot fired after "time" is called. 



WINNERS. 



1-July22 



2— August 19 



3 -September 16... 



4— October 21 



5— November 18.... 



Number of 

 Competitors. 



10 

 5 

 6 



Win. Robertson 



Geo. W. Wingate... 



J. E. Stetson 



J. E. Stetson 



J. E. Stetson 



Rifle. Score. 



W.-B. 

 Spr. 

 Win. 

 Win. 

 Win. 



34 

 52 

 73 

 63 



Finally won by Capt. J. E. Stetson, who entered only on the last 

 three days, using a Winchester rifle as a single breechloader only, in 

 competition with Ward-Burton, Remington, Springfield, Sharps and 

 Peabody rifles. 



The cuts show the general features of the arm in Fig. 1, while in 

 Figs. 2 and 3 may be seen the interior workings of the breech mechan- 

 ism. 



Tie magazine is charged while tbe system is closed, in the position 

 shown in Fig. 2. by pressing down the spring cover, found on the 

 right hand side of the receiver, with the point of the cartridge, and 

 inserting the latter through the opening thus made. This last is 

 closed by tbe spring cover as soon as the cartridge is inserted. The 

 operation is repeated until the magazine is filled. 



When it is desired to load, the finger- lever, B, is thrown forward to 

 the position snown in Fig. 3, and then returned to that shown in Fig. 2. 

 This motion throws out the shell or cartridge in the chamber-, trans- 

 fers a cartridge from the magazine to the chamber, cocks the ham- 

 mer, and leaves the arm ready to fire by pulling the trigger. 



This motion may be executed while the gun is at the hip or at the 

 shoulder, without taking the eye from the sights, thus enabling the 

 firer to discharge two or more shots without, removing the gun from 

 the shoulder or losing sight of the object which it is desired to hit. 



The model of i860, now regarded in many quarters as little better 

 than a pop gun, was first introduced in 1866 to supercede the Henry 

 rifle, which had from 1860 been manufactured by the New Haven 

 Arms Company, which was succeeded in 1866 by the Winchester Re- 

 peating Arms Company. It remains, in the mechanism fo< loading 

 and firing, precisely the same as the Henry, the improvements con- 

 sists iu an entire change in the magazine, and the arrangement for 

 filling it. This gun uses a rim-fire metallic cartridge, .44-caliber, 

 wilh 28 grains of powder and 200 grains of lead. The receiver, or 

 lock frame is of gun metal; the other parts, except the stock, of 

 steel and wrought iron, of the best quality: no malleable iron being 

 used. Up to tne limit of range that is possible with the small amount 

 of powder and ball used, it to-day remains unexcelled as a weapon or 

 hunting piece; and, contrary to the expectation of the manufacturers 

 since the introduction of 'more powerful arms, it is still in active 

 demand in many markets, and about 160,000 are now in use. 

 In the model of 1873, the first and most important ^improvement 

 in adaptii 

 l charge i 

 , 'otaining ..... 

 viz. 200 grains. The effect of this change is to increase, the initial 

 velocity of the arm from anout 1.125 to 1,325 feet per second, reducing 

 or flattening the trajectory, and increasing the power and accuracy 

 Of the arm. and giving it a penetration of about four moires m pure 

 board at 1.000yds.: Tbe cartridges can also be reloaded. A sec:,. id 

 improvement' iu the sporting arm is the addition of a set. or hair- 

 trigger. This differs from the ordinary hair trigger, in tnat it can be 

 Used precisely as if this trigger were not on the gun, if. as m hunting, 

 it is not wanted. For fine shooting, as in target practice, it is made 

 available, thus: After setting the hammer at full cock, the trigger 

 should be pressed forward slightly, and it is thus set. If it is found 

 too delicate, or not delicate enough, it can be adjusted to suit the 

 wishes by turning a set screw in or out. This screw will be found by 

 the side of the trigger. 



^:ri-!- r ^ ■■"-:■*} < 



Fig. 2, 



Fig. 3. 



A third improvement consists in a sliding lid, which covers the 

 opening in which the carrier block moves up and down. This lid, by 

 the action of tbe finger lever, opens automatically when the gun is 

 loaded, and should always remaiu open until closed by hand after 

 firing. The object of this lid is to keep dirt and snow out of the lock. 



A fourth improvement consists in the substitution of iron, iu place 

 of gun-metal or brass, in the manufacture, of the lock-tr^me, butt 

 plate, and other parts, thus increasing the strength of the arm and 

 reducing its weight. The gun-metal is. however, retained in the car- 

 rier-block and the lid in the butt-plate, opening it to the. receptacle 

 for the cleaning-rod. th£ object being to av id the liability to rust, so 

 as to impede the movement of these parts, which would exist if made 



A fifth improvement consists in a device which, it is, claimed, ab- 

 solutely prevents accidental orprematnre explosions. In mostbre.fCh- 

 loading firearms the firing pin, after the explosion of a cartridge, de- 

 pends upon a spiral spring to be thrown back even with the face of 

 the breech closing bolt. If ttiis spring is very strong, so as to insure 

 its operation, it tends to break the force of tbe blow of the hammer; 

 but if not strong enough for the purpose, it soon gets so foul as not 

 to work; and the firing-pin tie n projects, and if the breech is closed 

 with a quick motion, the cartridge is exploded prematurely, lo ob- 

 viate this, no spring is used; but tne firing-pin is carried back by a 

 positive motion retractor. 



There is made also of this model a .38-cal. to meet the demand tor 

 a small bore repeater. It employs a bottle-neck shell holding 40grs. 

 powder and 180 of lead, and is accurate up to 300yds., and for glass 

 ball shooters is a convenient arm. To meet a demand for a repeater 

 of still smaller caliber, the .32-cal. arm was made, also carrying a cen- 

 ter-fire cartridge, having 20grs of powder behind 115 of lead. Like 

 the preceding arm. it is made with full and half length magazine. 



The success attending the sale and use of model 1873, and the con- 

 stant calls from many sources, and particularly from the regions in 

 which the grizzly bear and other large game are found, as well as 

 from the plains where the absence of cover and the shyness of the 

 game require the hunter to make his shots at long range, made it 

 desirable for the company to build a still more powerful gun, and the 

 model of 1876 was introduced. 



Retaining all e isentidl mechanical elements of the former model, and 

 adding such improvements as seemed pos-ible. the result has been a 

 gun carrying a central-fire cartridge, capable of reloading, caliber .4o 

 with 75 grains of powder and 350 grains of lead, being nearly double 

 the charge used in model 1873. and giving an initial velocity of 1,450 

 feet The materials used in the construction of the gun are thesame 

 in kind and quality as the model 1873. Both set and plain trigger 

 rifles are made: and all guns with plain trigger are provided with an 

 attachment which renders premature explosion of the cartridge, even 

 from carelessnes, absolutely impossible. In both infantry musket 

 and carbine, me magazine is covered by the forearm its entire length. 

 Sporting rifles may be had with pistol grip stocks, vernier and wind 

 gauge sights, if ordered. ■ 



'lhe .45-60-300 form of the model of 1873 has been put on the market 

 to meet the wants of those who desire an arm using a lighter charge 

 than 75 grains of powder and 350 grains of lead, which is the amount 

 used in the regular model 1876. It is the same in every particular as 

 that arm. and differs only from it in that, it is chambered to use a .45- 

 ealiber straight Bhett, wii b B9 grains of powder aud 300 grains of lead. 



The express rifle is a modification of the model 1876, and differs 

 from it only m caliber, .50, and in the cartridge to which it is adapted. 

 This last contains 95 grains of powder, and a hollow-pointed bullet 

 weighing 300 grains. The bullet contains no explosive material. The 

 inserted copper tube is simply put in to stiffen the bullet. It contains 

 no powder or explosive of any kind. ... ,.j 



Cartridges for this model ore loaded with hollow -pointed, solid, or 

 split-pointed bullets, as may be desired. All these bullets weigh 300 

 grains each, and their shooting qualities are about equal. 



The bullet having a high initial velocity, a very flat trajectory is 

 obtained: and no change iu signting is required up to IBOyds., thus 

 enabling the hunter lo avoid missing the game through error iu cal- 

 culating distances, while the recoil is not mucn greater than that ot a 

 lri-gauge shotgun using ;rdinary charges. This niDdel, as made up 

 for the English market with a 22iu. barrel and with full length maga- 



16 to keep iu good repair. After 

 away, it should always be well 

 for" this purpose a cleaning-rod 

 e. and is got out by opening a lid 



for the Euglish 

 zine, weighs but 8}$ t 



The rifle is consider 

 using the rifle, befor 

 cleaned and oiled, ins 

 will be found in tbe st 

 iu the butt-plate. 



To lake out the barrel. - Take out the two tip-screws, the magazine 

 ring-pin, pull out the magazine tube, and take off the fore-arm: tben, 

 before unscrewing the barrel from the frame, the breecn-pin must 

 be. thrown back by mo\ ing the finger lever forward; otherwise the 

 attempt to unscrew it will break the spring-catch that withdraws the 

 cartridge, and ruin the breech-pin. The only spring in the guu that 

 is liable to lose its strength from long use is the main-spring, which 

 will be discovered by the gun missing fire. Should this occur, it may 



be strengthened by turning up the strain screw, which will be found 

 directly under it, on the under side of the frame. 



To remove the breecb-pin in the model of 1S66.— After removing the 

 side plates and links the spring-catch must next be takeu out. which 

 is done by moving the breech-pin back so that the pin that holds the 

 spring-catch will be in a line with a corresponding hole through the 

 frame; then with a small s'eel wire punch out the pin. (hen move 

 the breech-pin forward and take out the spring-catch; the piston can 

 then be unscrewed from the breech with plyers or hand vise, first 

 setting the hammer at full cock, or taking it out. 



To remove the breecn-pin iu the models of 18i3 and 18i6— After 

 removing the side plates and links, take out the link-pin and re- 

 tractor; the piston can then be pulled out with the fingers, first 

 removing the hammer or setting it at full cock. 



Tbe price list of the Winchester arms varies with the different 

 models, and care should be taken in ordering to specify the model as 

 well as the caliber if any special form of arm is desir-d. The 1867 

 model sporting rifle costs $22 with 24m. round barrel, canying .6 

 shot* an. I weighing 9 pounds. Octagon barrels cost $1 more. Muskets 

 for the same cost §32. and carbines $20. The 1 873 model sporting rifle 

 carries 15 shots, .44-cah, and costs from $25 to $27 according to the bar- 

 rel Muskets and carbines cost respectively $26 and $24. This model 

 is chambered for the .44-10-200 cartridge, for tbe .38-10-180 and for the 

 32-20-115 cartridge. The model of 1870 is a much heavier rifle, and 

 mm §27 ro $39. having a 12 shot magazine auda28in. barrel. 

 The musket with a 32iu. barrel costs $27, and the carbine 22in. long in 

 the barrel costs $3^. . 



The weapons of this class call for a .4o-cal. bullet and the cartridge 

 made for it is a .45-75-350. The. largest rifle of the company is the ex- 

 press of .oO-cal. The cost is from $35 to $39 according to shape of 

 barrel, all being 26in. long or under. The target rifle, which belongs 

 to the 1876 model class, cost* with pistol grip $45, and with vernier 

 and wind gauge sights in addition $63. 



AIR RESISTANCE. 



Editor Forest and Stream: ,.».,»... 



Before answering categorically the article on "Air Resistance, by 

 "P.," contained iu vour issue of May 1, I wish to cab attention to his 

 fifth paragraph, commencing "I take it for granted, etc. 



He has made a mistake in taking it for granted. The facts being 

 that I have been a reader of Forest md Stream for but little over a 

 year, and that the article I criticised last fall was tbe first, or his that 

 I had ever seen. Thus ibe implied charge of plagiarism falls to the 

 ground. A careful perusal of his article and of the authorities quoted 

 (not "P.'s" quotations, for he has selected these to suit his end) will 

 convince any unbiased reader. 



First— That in making my criticism I have not fallen into any error 

 or discovered any "mare's nest," but that my conclusions were ab- 

 solutely correct. Compare my article in Forest and Stream, Aug. 

 9. with" "Motion of Projectiles," also with section four of the article 

 under discussion. ■.«*_,. , t 



Second— That "P." was wrong in saying that "Taking the element, 

 of velocity iuto account, the airre-istance proved from these experi- 

 ments to be greatest between velocities from 1,100 f.s. to 1.860 t.s. 



Third— That he knows that he was wrong. See his fourth paragraph 

 in which he says, "But there has been nothing written by me that in 

 the remotest manner can bear the construction that a ball lor instance 

 at 1,000 f.s. has greater resistance in pounds, avoirdupois, than the 

 same ball at 200 f.s., for it is very evident that at the latter velocity 

 the actual resistance in pounds is eight times greater than at the 

 former velocity." In other words the resistance varies as the cube 

 of the velocity' (This is not strictly correct, as the variable coefficient 

 K has been omitted, taking this into account the ratio becomes 1 to 

 7.34 instead of 1 to 8 as above). \ 



Referring to the above quotation I claim that what was written by 

 him last summer could bear the construction he now wishes to disown 

 and no other The fact of the resistance being expressed m pounds, 

 avoirdupois, makes no difference whatever. If it had been expre ; sed 

 in kilogrammes or in auv other nnit the principle involved remains 

 thesame. Attention is also called to the fact that his fourth para- 

 graph flatly contradicts his third. ... 



Fourth— That he tries to escape from his position by a quibble 

 utterly unworthy of him, when he attempts to confound "resistance 

 of the" air" with 'the "co-efficient of air resistance"— K. 



Now what is this K to which "P." seeks to give undue prominence? 

 It is simply a variable empirical co-efficient, representing no general 

 law and is only introduced to effect an agreement between the results 

 of experiments ami the so called "cubic law of resistance. " Thesame 

 agreement might have been effected, less conveniently perhaps, by 

 employing a variable exponent of T instead of the cube in place of 

 this variable co-efficient. . 



The next pM-agraph that calls for an answer is the one in which he 

 calls my attention to another error. My statement that the trajectory 

 would 'be 2io. higher (theoretically) than for a level range, was in- 

 ferred from a calculation contained in the report of Cruel ot ura- 



